After a two year Business Study course at college, I joined my parents in the family business, which at the time was a strong CTN moving into the convenience market. With my youth and enthusiasm the business grew, we expanded the store and it soon became THE local store.

In 2005 I purchased an ailing village store in South Nutfield, Surrey, and put it through a major refurbishment plan. This store has since won the UK’s Best Independent Rural Store at the 2007 and 2008 Convenience Retail Awards. I joined the Independents Board of the ACS in 2010 and am an active member.

I have worked in the retail industry for over 30 years, and I still enjoy the challenge of being my own boss and taking responsibility for making my businesses grow. I also love meeting people from various walks of life. I think convenience retailing will continue to grow with the consolidation of smaller stores. There are challenges from the multiples, but the public still want their “local family store” as people yearn for a community environment in the area they live. It is up to us take on the challenge and continue to invest in our stores as well as the local communities surrounding our stores.